Hundreds pay tribute to officer slain during domestic call

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Loved ones say a western Pennsylvania police officer killed while responding to a domestic dispute was someone who never sought credit for the work he did.

Friends at his funeral say 54-year-old St. Clair Officer Lloyd Reed would help fix a broken-down car or search for a lost dog during his shifts.

Hundreds of officers from around the country turned out Friday to pay tribute at the Cambria County War Memorial, a hockey arena in Johnstown.

Ray Shetler Jr. is charged with shooting Reed after police arrived at Shetler's home in New Florence on Saturday night.

Police say Reed was wearing a bullet-proof vest but died after being struck in the chest when he exchanged gunfire with the suspect.

He had worked in law enforcement for about 25 years.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

A western Pennsylvania police officer who was shot while responding to a domestic dispute never sought credit for the work he did, friends and colleagues said Friday at his funeral.

Hundreds of police officers from around the country turned out to pay tribute to 54-year-old St. Clair Officer Lloyd Reed.

Friends recalled how Reed would help fix a broken-down car, search for a lost dog or help someone with a medical problem during his police shifts.

"Lloyd died the way he lived — trying to help somebody," St. Clair police Capt. Donald Hess said. "He demonstrated incredible courage during his last call."

Ray Shetler Jr., 31, is charged with killing Reed after police were called to Shetler's home in New Florence on Saturday night.

Shetler told police he returned fire when Reed shot at him as he left home with a hunting rifle. However, police believe Reed fired when the suspect ignored commands to drop the weapon.

Reed had spent 20 years with another local police department before it disbanded and he took the part-time job in St. Clair. The latter did not come with benefits or insurance, so friends are raising funds for his family. His wife, Rose, works at a Wal-Mart.

Reed had met his wife when he pulled her over for speeding, according to Leigh Applegate, an assistant chaplain for the Western Pennsylvania Police Benevolent Foundation. They were married for 15 years and lived in Hollsopple.

Officers from as far away as Canada and California attended the funeral at the Cambria County War Memorial, a hockey arena in Johnstown.